FG to prohibit importation of syringes
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa has called for a total ban on the importation of medical syringes into the country to encourage local production and help to grow the nation’s economy.
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye reiterated the need for a holistic approach by all the relevant agencies of government to solve the problem of substandard falsified medical devices coming into the country through the ports.
The statement was made on Thursday during the official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located within Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State, by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Nkiruka Uzo-Anite, Minister of State for Youth, and Sports Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Mrs Amina Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi.
The Health Minister reaffirmed the determination of the Federal Government to provide the necessary support to the local manufacturing sector to enhance its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr Alausa affirmed that the restructuring of syringe and needle production in Nigeria aims to guarantee the availability of high-quality products manufactured by Nigerians in the market to generate lucrative employment opportunities for Nigerians.
The Minister, however, implored NAFDAC to ensure that unbridled importation of Syringe does not hamper the development of the local industry through unhealthy competition.
“Don’t give them any more authorisation to import. We need to protect the local industry through the backward integration model aimed at enhancing the local capacity,’’ he said.
Prof. Adeyeye, disclosed that the Agency had put an end to granting import authorisation to importers including the international partners.
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According to her, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has also been directed to patronize the local manufacturers of syringes to provide employment opportunities to Nigerians through the expansion of operations of the Nigeria manufacturing companies.
She added that the National Primary Health Agency was given the last import order in December 2023 with the instruction that they should begin to source from the local manufacturers thereafter.
